How to get into agility/earthdog?

[dox-e]

Does anyone have suggestions for finding either agility or earthdog groups and how one goes about getting involved, not to mention figuring out if your pupper would be good at it?
Thanks:)

[Me&DappledDuo]

Agility is offered at almost any training club lately- it's so popular! We'll be trying it with at least one of ours this summer.

I don't know where in NJ you are- but here are some NJ trainers offering agility beginners courses:
http://www.wonderdogs.com/agility.html
http://www.jagdogs.com/
http://www.givemeservice.com/7/7_17.html
I think you'll find most schools with a big enough training area offer some form of agility- we're actually starting with "agilifun"- not hardcore agility classes, more like playing on the course, getting the dog used to the equipment.

For Earthdog, you might try contacting this club- http://members.aol.com/greybrndle/njbeindex.html
Though I don't know how close it is to you- they might be able to offer classes or helpful starter info.

I think you'll find that even if Ollie isn't talented in those areas- I bet it'd be a lot of fun for you both. Let us know, please- how it goes! :D

[kpm_tex]

You might try the Dachshund club in your area too.
The DFW Dachshund club sponsors earthdog, field trials, conformation and agility matches.
In fact, Bart and Merry are going to try their paws at their first Dachshund CLub sponsored Earthdog event this weekend! :dog:
They are entered in the Intro Class to see if they have an interest in it.

[lotsadox]

DFW Dachshund Club has some excellent info on their website about both earthdog and agility. One thing that you might watch out for with agility is that the equipment is built for much bigger dogs and with dachshunds tendency toward back problems, it can be very hard on their backs. Especially the running down the slant and jumping. Remember when dogs to agility they are competing athletes. They're revved up and going at top speed. This is when they are most apt to overdue and hurt themselves.

[kpm_tex]

Merry has started agility training and she just loves it... I do cringe when she goes flying across the dog walk. Merry's half brother has won a number of agility titles.

I think the keys are:
make sure they have completed growing so their bones can take the stress,
make sure they are not over weight ,
make sure the jump heights are appropriate for the size of the dog and have a good instructor!

the DFW club site is http://www.dfwdachshund.com Like Patrice said they have good info there as well as pictures and even video.

[Me&DappledDuo]

Hey- that's great stuff!!! PLEASE tell us how the intro goes- I'm going to have to watch for an ED trial near me... the way Lynx likes to burrow and Dutch likes to dig up stuff, I think they'd have a blast! :D

[dox-e]

Chrissie,

That's crazy, the first link you listed is not more than 10-15 minutes from our apartment. We live in South Central NJ (Mount Laurel). I'll definitely be checking those folks out, especially with the way he likes to run and jump on the couch:mad:

[alfina]

In our area agility is so popular that you have to be on a waiting list to get into a class. Of course, the fact that only one place offers it, doesn't help.

[Me&DappledDuo]

How funny! That's great, though- check them out. I always go watch a class with the instructor that I'll be taking the pup to before signing up... I DID witness a particular trainer that I decided against REALLY fast- due to her lack of ability to keep her frustration in check with one of the handlers. You AND your dog need to feel comfortable with the trainer- and for something like this- it needs to be FUN! :)

I insist that you tell us how it turns out, of course!

Only ONE agility trainer, Olga? WOW! It's so popular here- it seems like everyone offers SOME form of agility. Earthdog is gaining in popularity... but much harder to find than agility.